Please don’t rush…

…Christmas!

 

I SO LOVE ❤️ LOVE ❤️ LOVE Christmas…so please don’t think this is bah humbug post.

The stores started selling ALL things Christmas ⛄️ along with the sound of 🎄 music 🎶 in the air when I popped by some of my fav’ stores to pick up something. 🛍 It was only October!

Sadly I’ve been looking at 🎄 Christmas decorations in my neighborhood since Halloween.

I simply want to enjoy the beauty of TODAY. Thanksgiving is the next holiday! Let’s be grateful for it. First!

I can’t wait to sip some hot apple cider.

Eat a piece of sweet potato pie 🍠 & pumpkin 🎃 pie!!

Give myself a pumpkin face mask.

Treat myself to a new cozy fall scarf 🧣 to take me into winter in style.

Celebrating 🥳 the beauty of each day in my own way. One glorious day at a time.

And you?

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Eat: Chocolate Peanut Butter Bark —

I so love to eat, create and makeup! So, I simply had to share this recipe by ELE with you. I plan on making this Halloween week and over the holiday season. Looks so delightful and delish! Doesn’t it?

If you are a regular reader of ELE you will know we are very fond of delicious chocolate bark recipes. Easy to make and always a crowd pleaser, it is a great way to make a simple block of chocolate that little bit more special. With the festive season not that far away, bark is…

via Eat: Chocolate Peanut Butter Bark —

Gifts and Stocking Stuffers For HER!

I am all about filling the Christmas stocking!

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I have taught my husband all about it too and he rocks MINE every year! In fact to be totally honest I love the filled Christmas stocking more than him going crazy and stressing out to find what he thinks is the perfect gift!

But I am also all about that thoughtful token gift for the lady in your life, bestie, sister wife or moms in your life!

Here are some suggestions for a fabulous token gift and a filled stocking I know she will LOVE!

Again, put some thought into it. Give them what they can use and need!!!  While I love to laugh and ENJOY  fun gifts. I do know they cost $$$ and sometimes are a waste. So, think hard and shop or give wisely. I also love the beauty of handmade and home-made.

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1. Candles
2. Potpourri
3. Salt lamps
4. Humidifier
5. Soaps
6. Bubble baths,fragrance and hand and Body care
7. Shower gels
8. Travel toiletries
9. Champagne & Caviar or Truffle Mousse Pate (decadent)
10. Cocktail Caviar for the lush (or Vodka lover in your world)
11. A satin pillow case to protect that blowout and or for the complexion
12. Stationary or note cards
13. Cosmetic bag
14. Lipstick and Blush
15. Lip gloss
16. Eyeliners
17. Eye shadow kits
18. Colored mascaras
19. Earrings
20. Bracelets
21. Highlighters or Body Glitter
22. Necklaces
23. Fashion earrings
24. Music Cd’s
25. Gift cards or certificates for someplace or somewhere they love to go
26. Pens,colored pencils and more. I am addicted to all things office supplies and writing instruments… Sharpie’s are something I can’t live without or WRITE without them! Add an Adult coloring book..
27. Sage and incense to set the mood and purify their space
28. Food like cookies, chips or candy like chocolate but believe it or not some women hate it. Can you believe hate chocolate? So, discover what candy or crunch she loves first.

Yum! Coffee or tea give her some!

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Fun night out! Certificates or gift cards for their fave place. Or show them something or something new that you have discovered!

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I also enjoy creating handwritten coupons redeemable for things.

So does this get you going and your juices flowing?

The scent of a woman…is important!

Shopping for makeup is easy! 

Shopping for fragrance is yet another kind of shopping altogether. I recently went shopping for Christmas gifts for my brother- in- law and lured by a fragrance counter. The lights,the bottles and scents! The sales associate greeted me quickly and wondered who I was buying for. I said no one. I  told her I thought I would touch, spray and see what calls out to me!

She started to assist and I did not mind as I used to work in Bloomingdales 59th St. and Macys 34th Street in NYC  and I know all about the job. They stand all day and work hard! 

She tired her best to introduce me to some scents. After she was about to show and spritz the fifth one. I had to say “Bye” at least for now. I was getting fragrance overload. She was disapoointed to see me leave and offered me the infamous coffee bean bowl. If you haven’t been to a fine fragrance counter this is a PROfessional fragrance and perfumer’s tip …You sniff the coffee beans to clear your nose of all the scents and start sniffing scents again. Sort of like the sherbet or sorbet that they serve you between dishes at a fine restaurant! That is why I chose to do this blog post today to let you know the process.

Back to the fragrances and the sales associate…I was confused and wasn’t feeling it. I needed to shop for holiday gifts. So, I left that store. Every time I placed my wrists or hands toward my face to move my hair, or sling my tote over my shouder I suddenly fell in love with the top of my hand where one of the fragances I tested was. I couldn’t stop sniffing and smelling my hand. I smelled so sexy and the scent made me feel so happy. I drove back to that store that night and had to buy a bottle and a body cream to go with it.

So, the next time you are in the mood or just happen to feel like you want to test drive something new. Don’t try more than 3 or 4 fragrances at a time tops! Don’t be in a hurry. Wait a while to see how the fragrance traslates and smells on you. Smelling coffee beans is great but most times you simply have to wait.

I smelled so …Delish!

What scent are you wearing today? Talk to me.

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Illuminate and Celebrate…

 

Shopping for a a gift for a loved one or friend takes time.

Don’t rush shopping for a gift especially when it is for someone special.Every night I sit by candlelight and this light …A serene salt lamp. I have them all over my home and in my business too. They illuminate to room and create such a calming and pretty ambience and a mood all their own.

A salt lamp has so many beautiful benefits! And healthy ones too.

They purify the air,great to use around electronics and computers,smokers homes and are great for people with allergies. Google them and you’ll find ALL their benefits.

I highly recommend them. They used to cost a bit of money but now have come down in price and also gotten smaller and more portable even to clip in to your computer to brighten up the mood or your work space.

I also think they are kinda sexy and cool.

If you’re looking for that perfect gift for HIM or for HER… Think about giving this as a gift. They will treasure a long time and think of you every time they flip the switch too.

 

Gift Ideas with a Florida Twist!

As a business owner…you never are off REALLY. Last week was a whirlwind getting my makeup studio retail ready for the holidays!

So, I am sorry I have been kinda M.I.A.

Since it is the time for gift giving I thought you might like this blog post.

I am really more like a NYC girl and as I write this and the holidays are near I am starting to get homesick already. When I first moved to Jacksonville I felt like actress Eva Gabor in the sitcom Green Acres. I would often dance around the house and tease my husband and sing “Darling I love you but give me Park Avenue”. But having HIM in my life and opened up my business in Florida I eventually fell in love with palm trees,not driving in ice and snow,yummy Southern food and the slower paced lifestyle.

So, with that said I have compiled a list of gift ideas that are made in Florida or that are made in…Jacksonville Florida. You don’t have to live in Florida to buy these.

My blog is called Beauty Candy cause I am crazy about beauty and candy!  Now I have to share with you about my fav’ LOCAL candy delight. 

Topsy Toffee is a locally owned toffee company that is to die for! No kidding. You just can’t eat a few pieces. The creator uses his mom’s recipe and soared with it. Chocolate and toffee anyone? They just introduced a Perky peppermint to the mixjust in time for the holidays…so excited!

http://www.topsytoffee.com

Gottahaveit is a store in the historic Avondale section of town. Iva the owner carries an amazing array of gifts and personalized gifts too. You gotta see this place! Give yourself time to browse and shop. You might even find something  you  love and have to treat yourself too!

http://www.gottahaveit.com

Speaking of beauty there is a beauty of a salon in a sweet yellow house called Chocolate Blonde Salon. I am mad about a product they have named after one of their top stylists! It is called John’s Elixir. This magic mix is not only great for conditioning the hair before you blow dry,you can shave your legs ,face (guys) with it,you can remove makeup with it. I have smoothed out dead ends and brows that have gone wild too. A little goes a long way. And it smells sublime!

Looking for a NEW scent to add to your fragrance wardrobe? TRY No.1 by a local designer Sandra Alford. It is a really sexy but soft  scent. They are offering FREE shipping with any order over $100.00 and up.

http://www.sandraalford.com

Don’t ya just love Chocolate dipped strawberries???

How can you resist? The absolute best the city has to offer comes from Glamour Gourmet.

The creator and owner Natasha makes the most DAZZLING glittered,sugared,chocolate decadence you will ever taste. Find her and shop her Instagram account…that’s how I find her!!! Warning you will soon be drooling at the edibles on the screen. She also makes chocolate dipped shimmering other things. Trust me on this your guests will be WOWED if you serve her glam YUMMY treats or given as a gift they will thing you are the bomb!

If  you’re looking for a hostess gift or something to stuff in a holiday basket you’re making…a trip to Community Loaves is all you need. They have some awesome fresh bread you will love and so will the people you give a loaf to. BREAD HEAVEN awaits you in Murray Hill.

If you are looking for locally made candles there are a few companies I can recommend…

Five Points Candle Company is your go to brand. You may buy them online or at Gottahaveit.

http://www.fivepointscandlecompany.com

Fitz Pulins has some aromatic and beautifully packaged candles. http://www.inventoryroom.com

Jacksonville in a BOX shipped to your or someone who used to live here’s door. A variety of things made in Florida and wrapped and shipped by people who have developmental disabilities. A combination of food plus Florida souvenir fun!

http://www.jacksonvilleinabox.com

If you’re looking for a cheap stocking stuffer and think Jax IS RAD! Go visit this site.

 

http://www.jaxisrad.com

Gotta foodie in your life that loves pie? Going to grandmas house or the in laws for dinner? Bring a pie from the YUM YUM TREE. This infamous place is an icon in Jacksonville.

These are just a few of my fav’ things I simply had to share and tell you about!

I know the season is really all about the reason. But since gifts are a part of it. I thought you’d enjoy my gift or stocking stuffer ideas.

Until next time…enjoy the beauty of this wonderful time of year!

 

Holiday Perfume for your home…

Naturally…

Tis’ the season for gatherings and holidays and sometimes your house does not smell that fabulous. Perfume the air with this!

MY stove is bubbling over with this aromatic stove top recipe. Smells good enough to eat.

1 small orange pulled into pieces

1 or 2 cinnamon sticks

1 tablespoon or more of fresh cinnamon

Add water to the pan and let it steam in the air. Your home will smell amazing.

It is a scentsational idea!

Peace,Love and Blowouts!

Have you ever had an actual blowout? No, not your tire blowout but a hair blowout.Many women do not know what it is.

A couple of weeks ago  a new spot for hair opened in Jacksonville,Florida. This is epic for the city.The name of the business is DRYBAR.

No cuts,no color,just blowouts!!! That’s all they do.

I have had this service done at other salons across the country but never by this brand. I tried to get one a blowout while working in these cities… Las Vegas,NYC and Chicago bu all locations were booked.They have sixty locations to serve you and offer long convenient hours.They recently opened a shop in a section called Brooklyn.So, being homesick and craving my NYC. I HAD TO GO!

The reception at the front desk was awesome. They took a good guess on my name and calling me by it once I walked in.What caught my eye first is all the yellow and white decor and when you enter the overhead lamp is made with a yellow blow dryer.

Pretty cool!

Next they asked me if I wanted something to drink. The offerings were:water,coffee,tea and a Champagne mimosa. I of course chose the Mimosa.

Blowouts I could choose from the service menu were named after drinks.If you don’t drink alcohol this could be a problem.But the services are described beautifully in the menu alongside pictures of how that style will look.

The Straight Up

The Manhattan

The Cosmo

The Mai Tai

The Cosmo-tini

Southern Comfort

Dirty Martini

The Uptini

Shirley Temple for kids or pre-teens

Add a braid to your service

I chose the Manhattan and a dash of Southern Comfort.

What  I wasn’t ready for was it took a total of 45 minutes! The stylists wash and work at styling and blow dry every strand of hair and they follow a certain protocol. If you do not want your locks to be pampered… you may not like this service.

I enjoyed my experience and you will too. Give them a whirl!

The holidays are coming and you may just need that special look for all the holiday parties and New Years Eve too. #treatyoself!

$40.00 per service

You book your appt. via the APP or connect online.

http://www.thedrybar.com

 

 

 

Photofetti…

I love all things fun and meaningful things! THIS post is no exception.  I love it so much I am featuring on TV today in my Beauty and Lifestyle segment on The Chat in sunny Florida on ABC25 and NBC12.

How would you like to celebrate New Years eve,a birthday party or your upcoming  wedding or any other special event with PHOTO BANG???

I love my new order of photofetti…that is a photo or logo on a set of confetti! You will too. Explore http://www.photofetti.com

 

AND the best part about reading this blog or watching THE CHAT show on TV or live stream…you get a discount code: CHAT10 for a 10% off discount off your order! Get hopping and start shopping.

Gilded in Gold…and decadent!

I met this amazing dessert maker.I tasted her AMAZING glamberries (as she calls them) and never stopped dreaming or fantasizing about them. They are not just dipped in the chocolate of your choice but they are also dipped in this awesome sugar.

I hosted an Open House for my clients last weekend and they loved them so much! So much they felt guilty to even touch one as they did not want to ruin my pretty table presentation. That’s a first.

Don’t they look gorgeous?

You can find her on Instagram,Facebook and by telephone. You know when I find something fabulous I have to share it with you.

Glamour Gourmet in Jacksonville Florida!

Your News  Years eve party can be even more special if you order these! Or order them as a Hostess gift at Christmas.All that glitters is delightful~